Despite French police releasing the late Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa’s death certificate at the weekend, his family is still awaiting news on when his body will be repatriated and when they can travel to France.
Mthethwa, a former Police and Arts and Culture Minister, was found dead on Tuesday after being reported missing last week Monday. His wife had contacted local French police after receiving a concerning message.
Mthethwa, who was appointed as an ambassador to France in 2023 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, had fallen from the 22nd floor of a Paris hotel.
Speaking while in France, Mthethwa’s brother-in-law Dr Sifiso Buthelezi confirmed that the death certificate has been issued and released.
Buthelezi said that this meant that the repatriation of the body should begin, however, the late ambassador’s uncle Musawokuphila Mthethwa said the family was still awaiting to hear from the South African government on when the family will be able go to France.
Speaking on Sunday after a visit by IFP MP Inkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Dicksen Masemola, Mthethwa said South African authorities have not confirmed when the family can travel to France.
He said that although the family was informed about the five-member SAPS team that flew to France on Friday, the family had not been informed about the team’s purpose with regard to the investigation.
“We are still here in the country awaiting details from our government on when we will go to France to fetch his body,” said Mthethwa.
According to international media reports, French police have concluded that there was no foul play in the ambassador’s death and suggested that he took his own life.
French police released the details leading up to the ambassador’s death, revealing that the 58-year-old originally booked a room on the 15th of September for a stay commencing on Saturday, September 27th, and extending into Sunday, September 28th, however he did not arrive on the initial dates.
